Flatman diving to fitness

Bath and England prop David Flatman has undergone treatment used to help divers recover from potentially lethal bends in a bid to speed up his recovery from an ankle injury.

The 24-year-old loosehead missed England's summer tour Down Under after undergoing keyhole surgery on an Achilles injury.

It meant he turned to revolutionary new techniques in his race to be fit for the new season, spending the last week in a state-of-the-art hyperbaric chamber in Poole.

Bath's head of physical preparation, Chris Mallac, told the Bath Chronicle: "The hyperbaric chamber is used more as a post operation healing stimulant.

"The Achilles tendon has poor blood circulation and by undergoing this procedure an increased flow of oxygen to the tendon is induced and that helps to kick-start the healing process."

Flatman is confident the eight-day course has helped him, saying: "There is still a long way to go in terms of recovery, but this procedure is intended to increase the efficiency of the recovery. I have certainly noticed the difference."

After losing their Under-20s Six Nations crown to England Under-20s in a thrilling final round, France Under-20s lock Tristan Labouteley insists his side will be out for revenge at this year's Junior World Championship.